Pitch made (again) to make Ocean Springs smoke-free

Jackson County Supervisors Troy Ross (left) and John McKay presented a check for $205,000 to the Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen for the city's recreation department during Tuesday night's meeting.Warren Kulo/Gulflive.com

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Representatives of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation once again made their pitch for Ocean Springs to join a growing list of Mississippi communities which have gone smoke-free.

"That's the only single requirement for applying for this grant," Grogan said.

Grogan said as a health and wellness organization, they didn't believe they could award grants to communities which weren't smoke free.

A points system has been used each year since the program's inception in 2010 to determine the "Healthiest Hometown in Mississippi," which carries with it a $50,000 grant.

In addition, three other cities in different population categories are awarded $25,000 grants each year.

Grogan said the winners for 2014 were recently announced, with Brookhaven winning the top award and Moss Point, Pascagoula and Walnut taking the three other awards.

"My goal is to help our cities and other organizations in receiving grants to promote health and wellness," Grogan said.

As has been the case following previous presentations on Ocean Springs going smoke-free, there was only silence afterward. Aldermen had no questions or comments, other than Mayor Pro Tem John Gill suggesting Grogan meet with Mayor Connie Moran after she returns to town.

Also on Tuesday night, the board got a report from Danielle Crowder of Mississippi Power Company, which conducted a study on the feasibility of converting lighting in city buildings to LED or florescent lighting.

Crowder said the company studied the lighting usage of 10 city buildings. Converting the lighting in those 10 buildings to high-efficiency florescent lighting would cost $78,000.

That cost, however, could be funded through a 1.25 percent loan over five years. The monthly savings would cover the debt service on the loan, the report said.

Conversely, the LED lighting favored by Moran would cost $330,000 and take 18 years to pay back. it would also force the city to raise debt service millage, Public Works Director Andre Kaufman pointed out.

"It's a no-brainer," Kaufman said.

Aldermen authorized City Attorney John Edwards to look over the contract to purchase the florescent lights, make any necessary changes and return it at the board's August meeting for approval.

Aldermen also accepted a $205,000 check for the city's Parks & Leisure Department from the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, presented by supervisors John McKay and Troy Ross.

McKay noted that thus far in fiscal 2014, the county has returned nearly $1.3 million in tax revenues to the city, including $750,000 in road paving funds.

"Mr. Gill said in the news today sometimes you feel like you get thrown under the bus," McKay said. "We do, too."

McKay noted the funds returned to the city are discretionary -- supervisors are not required to spend it in any particular place or on any particular project.

"I know you're budget's tight," McKay said. "As long as Troy and I are here it'll keep coming in like it is. We feel like if you're successful, we're successful."

"We're fortunate to have two supervisors who live right here in the city of Ocean Springs," McDonnell said.

Jerry Dalgo also noted the $1.2 million Mississippi Department of Transportation Department grant which will fund the Government Street improvement project and which required a $200,000 match -- money paid by the county.